The Transfer Tavern

Jay Rodriguez return would make so much sense for Southampton

Southampton have already added Stuart Armstrong, Mohamed Elyounoussi and most recently Angus Gunn to the squad, but manager Mark Hughes is not finished in the transfer market yet.

According to Sky Sports, central defender Jannik Vestergaard is expected to arrive at St. Mary’s at the start of next week after Southampton agreed a £18m fee with Borussia Monchengladbach for the 25-year-old’s services.

And once that is finally wrapped up, the Saints are likely to try their luck with bringing in a new centre-forward.

Guido Carrillo’s loan move to La Liga side Leganes and the different dilemmas that surround his other strikers means Hughes will be desperate to add a new No.9 to the squad.

Considering the above, West Brom and former Southampton man Jay Rodriguez could be a good option for Hughes.

Rodriguez, who is valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt, netted seven times in 37 Premier League appearances for the Baggies last season and looks to have put his injuries behind him after featuring in all but one of his side’s league fixtures.

At Southampton, a team that plays more brave and expansive than West Brom, Rodriguez could hit double figures again as he did during his first spell at St. Mary’s.

Rodriguez scored 15 goals in the Saints’ 2013/14 Premier League campaign and, with West Brom condemned to the Championship, the 28-year-old could be available for transfer at the right price.